Bachelor of Genetics

Explore the complex and fascinating world of genetics and unravel the mysteries of DNA with the ANU Bachelor of Genetics.You’ll learn how genes hold our hereditary information, study classical genetics, molecular genetics, population genetics, and bioinformatics.

You can even follow interests in areas as diverse as plant genetics, evolutionary genetics or medicine and health.Studying at ANU means you’ll be exposed to ground-breaking research being undertaken by our academics in active research laboratories at the Research School of Biology and the John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australia’s national medical research institute.Find out more about genetics, the degree structure, the university experience, career opportunities and student stories on our website.Get the inside story on what it’s like to be an ANU student by visiting our student blog.This program is not available for Semester 2 commencement.

Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Genetics requires completion of 144 units, of which:

A maximum of 60 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

The 144 units must include:

66 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

BIOL1003 Evolution, Ecology & Genetics BIOL1004 Molecular & Cell Biology CHEM1101 Chemistry 1 CHEM1201 Chemistry 2 BIOL2151 Genetics BIOL2161 Genes: Replication and Expression BIOL2162 Molecular Genetic Techniques BIOL2202 Experimental Design and Analysis in Biology BIOL3157 Bioinformatics and Its Applications BIOL3161 Genomics & its Applications BIOL3204 Genetics of Human Disease 1

12 units from completion of a course from the following list:

BIOL1009 Diversity of Life BIOL2001 Introduction to Quantitative Biology

BIOL2117 Cell Biology

BIOL2142 General Microbiology

COMP1730 Programming for Scientists

18 units from completion of a course from the following list:

BIOL3002 Plants: Genes and the Environment

BIOL3109 Ecological and Evolutionary Developmental Biology

BIOL3113 Invertebrate Biology

BIOL3114 Vertebrate Biology

BIOL3113 Invertebrate Biology

BIOL3002 Plants: Genes to Environment

BIOL3003 Plant Physiological Ecology

BIOL3201 Big Questions in Biology

BIOL3141 Infection and Immunity

BIOL3144 Advanced and Applied Immunology

BIOL3177 Advances in Molecular Plant Sciences

BIOL3191 Biology, Society and Ethics

BIOL3193 Bacteria and Health: An Ecological and Evolutionary Perspective

BIOL3205 Genetics of Human Disease 2

BIOL3108 Hallmarks of Cancer

BIOL3206 Macroevolution & Macroecology

BIOL3208 Biology Research Project

BIOL3209 Biology Research Project (12u)

BIAN3016 Analysis of Mammalian Remains

BIAN3113 Human Evolution

48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU

Students must achieve a minimum 65% weighted average mark across all compulsory courses undertaken in each period (Summer/First Semester/Autumn) and (Winter/Second Semester/Spring) in order to continue in the Bachelor of Genetics. Students who do not achieve a minimum of 65% weighted average mark will be transferred to the Bachelor of Science single degree.

Honours

Students who attain a sufficient standard in the pass degree may be admitted to the Honours year to become candidates for the degree with Honours.

See the Honours Degree listed in the Bachelor of Science.

Elective Study

Once you have met the program requirements of your degree, you may have enough electives to complete an additional elective major, minor or specialisation.

Study Options

Year 1 - 48 units

Year 2 - 48 units

Year 3 - 48 units

Admission Requirements

At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not automatically guarantee entry.

In line with the university's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors.

Domestic applicants

→ School leavers will be assessed on: • the minimum Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) requirement or equivalent for this program, • the co-curricular or service requirement, and • any program specific requirements that are listed below.

→ Non school leavers: a) will be assessed on: • the minimum Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) requirement or equivalent for this program, b) Non school leavers who: • complete a recognised Australian (or equivalent) post-secondary qualification, or • complete one standard full-time year (1.0 FTE) of an Australian (or equivalent) degree qualification, or • complete an approved tertiary preparation course/program without undertaking any further study, will be assessed on the basis of an equivalent selection rank that is calculated upon application. Non school leavers must also meet any program specific requirements that are listed below.

International applicants

Applicants who complete a recognised secondary/senior secondary/post-secondary/tertiary sequence of study will be assessed on the basis of an equivalent selection rank that is calculated upon application. A list of commonly observed international qualifications and corresponding admission requirements can be found here. Applicants must also meet any program specific requirements that are listed below.

Diversity factors & English language proficiency As Australia's national university, ANU is global representative of Australian research and education. ANU endeavours to recruit and maintain a diverse and deliberate student cohort representative not only of Australia, but the world. In order to achieve these outcomes, competitive ranking of applicants may be adjusted to ensure access to ANU is a reality for brilliant students from countries across the globe. If required, competitive ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency.

Prerequisites

ACT: Chemistry (Major); NSW: Chemistry or equivalent. More information about interstate subject equivalencies can be found here.

Students who do not meet the chemistry requirement may be admitted into the program via a different pathway. Students who:

• Have an ATAR score of 90 or higher, and

• Commence the Bachelor of Science program after completion of the chemistry bridging course available in February through the ANU Research School of Chemistry (or equivalent) and complete CHEM1101 and BIOL1003 with a minimum average of 65%, may then apply to transfer to the Bachelor of Genetics.

Adjustment Factors

ANU offers rank adjustments for a number of adjustment factors, including for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. Rank adjustments are applied to Bachelor degree applicants with an ATAR at or above 70. Points are awarded in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 points (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustments, maximum 10 equity-based adjustments and maximum 5 Elite Athlete adjustments) will be awarded. Please note that Adjustment Factors vary and do not apply to a select few programs, please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.

Scholarships

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are. Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

For further information see the Scholarships website.